How to Choose a Healthy Dachshund Puppy: 15 Things to Check
Bringing a new Dachshund puppy home is a joyous occasion, but choosing the right one requires a sharp eye. Because of their unique long-backed, short-legged structure, Doxies are prone to specific health issues that ethical breeding and careful selection can mitigate. Whether you are meeting a breeder or visiting a rescue, here are the 15 essential things to check to ensure you are bringing home a healthy, happy puppy.
The 15-Point Health Checklist
- Clear, Bright Eyes: A healthy puppy will have bright, sparkling eyes. There should be no green or yellow discharge, no redness, and no signs of squinting. Cloudiness or excessive tearing can indicate infection or congenital issues.
- Clean, Odor-Free Ears: Gently look inside the puppy’s ears. They should be pale pink and clean. A foul, yeasty smell, dark waxy buildup, or constant head-shaking are signs of ear mites or an infection—common in floppy-eared breeds.
- A Moist, Cool Nose: While a dog’s nose doesn’t have to be ice cold, it should be slightly moist and clean. Watch out for thick nasal discharge or crusty build-up around the nostrils.
- Healthy Coat and Skin: Run your hands against the grain of the fur. The skin should be clean and pale pink (or normal pigmented black), with no redness, flakiness, or scabs. The coat should be soft and shiny. Bald patches could indicate mange (demodex) or a fungal infection like ringworm.
- A Straight, Firm Back: This is crucial for Dachshunds. Run your hand gently along their spine from neck to tail. The back should be straight, not dipping (swayback) or arching upward. The puppy should not yelp or flinch when you touch their back.
- Correct Bite Alignment: Gently lift the puppy’s lips. A healthy Dachshund should have a “scissor bite,” where the upper incisors slightly overlap the lower ones. An overbite or underbite can cause dental issues later in life.
- A “Potbelly” Check: While puppy bellies are naturally round, a severely swollen, hard, or distended belly is a major red flag. It is often a sign of a heavy intestinal worm burden or poor nutrition.
- Strong, Straight Legs: Watch the puppy stand. Their front legs should be straight and sturdy. If the legs bow outward severely or knuckle under, it could indicate a nutritional deficiency like Rickets or a genetic joint deformity.
- A Normal, “Bouncy” Gait: Watch the puppy walk and run. They should have a smooth, fluid stride. Avoid puppies that bunny-hop with their back legs, limp, or drag their paws (knuckling). This can be an early sign of spinal or neurological issues.
- Clean Rear End: Check the puppy’s bottom. It should be clean and free of dried feces. A messy or red rear end can indicate ongoing diarrhea or digestive upset.
- Quiet, Easy Breathing: Listen to the puppy breathe. It should be quiet and effortless. Coughing, sneezing, wheezing, or labored breathing can be signs of a respiratory infection, such as Kennel Cough.
- Healthy Gum Color: Lift the lip and look at the gums. They should be a healthy bubblegum pink. Pale or white gums can indicate anemia (often from fleas or worms), while blue-tinged gums are an immediate medical emergency.
- Curiosity and Playfulness: A healthy 8-to-12-week-old Dachshund should be bouncy, inquisitive, and eager to interact. A puppy that is excessively lethargic, hides constantly, or seems unresponsive may be ill or improperly socialized.
- Parents’ Health Clearances: If buying from a breeder, ask to see the DNA health clearances of the parents. You specifically want to see clearances for IVDD (Intervertebral Disc Disease) and PRA (Progressive Retinal Atrophy). An ethical breeder will have these documents ready.
- Vaccination and Deworming Records: Ask to see the puppy’s vet record. They should have received at least their first round of vaccinations and been on a regular deworming schedule starting from 2 weeks of age.
💡 The Breeder’s Tip: See the Whole Litter
Never pick a puppy in isolation. Ask to see the whole litter together. If one puppy is significantly smaller, less active, or hiding while the rest are playing, that puppy may have underlying health issues. Conversely, a puppy that is aggressively bullying all its siblings might have a dominant temperament that requires experienced handling. The healthiest and most well-adjusted puppy is usually somewhere in the middle of the pack—playful, but not a bully, and confident, but not overly timid.
By taking the time to perform these 15 checks, you are protecting your heart and your wallet from future heartbreak. A healthy puppy is an active, bright-eyed, and sturdy companion ready to bring years of joy to your family.
